LIPU Centre
Centro Recupero Rapaci
Sala Baganza (PR)
Tel. 521 834330
Location
The LIPU Raptor Rehabilitation Centre is at Sala Baganza, a small settlement in the Apennine foothills to the south of the city of Parma. It is entirely within the commune of Sala Baganza, within the Boschi di Carrega Regional park.HOW TO GET THERE.
From Parma, take the N 62 in the direction of Spezia. At Collechio, turn left, following road signs for Sala Baganza and the Centro Recupero LIPU.
Right: The operating theatre
Foundation
The idea of setting up a Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, the first proper hospital for wild birds in Italy, arose in the early 1970s. The first centre was established by LIPU in the city of Parma in 1975. LIPU Rehabilitation Centres aim to treat, rehabilitate and re-introduce back into the wild, raptors, rare and ecologically important birds which have often been injured, either intentionally or unintentionally, by man's activities. Their injuries come mainly from shooting, impacts with overhead lines, pesticide poisoning and young birds falling from the nest.The first LIPU Centre was established in 1975 and was managed informally until it moved to a farmhouse in Parma and then finally in June 1991 it reached its present location at Sala Baganza, within the Boschi di Carrega Regional Park. Currently, as well as raptors, many other wild creatures are treated here.
Every year, the Sala Baganza Centre receives more than a thousand injured birds from all over Italy. As soon as they are completely cured and able to live independently they are re-introduced back into the wild, sometimes amid great excitement at public events.
Throughout the world there are 290 species of diurnal and 174 species of nocturnal raptors. Among the former, the Centre treats Black Kites, Sparrowhawks, Golden Eagles, Common Buzzards and Kestrels. Nocturnal raptors include Barn Owls, Eagle Owls, Little Owls, Tawny Owls and Long-eared Owl.
FACILITIES The Centre has a visitor centre, meeting room, a permanent exhibition on raptors, a library, a screened walkway and parking. Throughout the year there are environmental activities, children's events and bird releases which are open to the public. Since 1991 the Centre, after its move to Sala Baganza, has been open to the public. It is open to visitors at weekends (9.00 - 13-00 and 14-00 to 18-00). Guided visits during the week, for groups and school parties, must be booked at the Visitor Centre. The Centre is accessible to disabled persons.
Left: This Eagle is almost ready for release, but before it can go free it must build up its flight muscles again. It is being flown while tethered on a long line and this allows the veterinary staff to control the bird's exercise programme.
Elsewhere in the area
A visit to the Boschi di Carrega Regional Park, whose Visitor Centre is only a kilometre away, is certainly recommended at almost any time of year (Tel. 0521/836026).